Linda Albertini – Web Designer and Developer

My name is Linda Albertini, and I was born and raised in San Diego, California (USA).  I have been a freelance web designer/developer for nearly three years and would like to join a design agency full-time.  When I’m not on my laptop, I like to spend time with my husband, cook new recipes, and watch funny movies.

2) If you would search your profile on Google, what are three key words you would type in the search bar?

 “Linda Albertini design”

3) What was your inspiration and when did you actually decide to become a freelancer?
About 3 years ago, I was fresh out of college volunteering at a local non-profit startup, and the director asked me to help manage their website.  At the time, the website was built using a WYSIWYG template – which I found to be ugly and frustrating to use.  I thought that I could do a better job designing the site myself, so I picked up some books on HTML and CSS at the library.  

I discovered that web design was the career path I was looking for; I liked the idea of creating something both beautiful and functional with a potential world-wide audience.  I went back to school and earned a Specialized Certificate in Web Publishing, and I have been freelancing on the side ever since.  I have also held jobs as an after-school teacher and camp counselor, leading kids in fun activities and games.

4) What kind of services have your clients asked you to provide?
I started out doing simple, static websites and re-designs.  Since then, I have also customized WordPress sites, built an e-commerce site, incorporated an online course system, and provided website maintenance and SEO assistance.  I have also designed logos, brochures, and business cards for some of my clients – I enjoy the creative process!

5) Do you use other freelancers or companies to provide skills you don’t possess?
At this point, I haven’t worked with other freelancers.  There hasn’t been a need so far, because my clients’ projects were small enough that I could manage them without outside help.  However, in the future, if the opportunity presents itself, I would be open to collaborating with other freelancers – such as a back-end developer, graphic designer, or copywriter.

6) Now tell us, how do you find new clients that are interested in your services?
So far, it’s mostly been word-of-mouth through people I know.  Also, when I go to a local restaurant or business, I’ll look them up on my smartphone.  If it looks like they could use my services, I’ll introduce myself and give them my business card.

7) What about freelancermap.com? Can you tell us a little bit about your experience on our IT network?
I have joined freelancermap recently, and it looks like there are some great freelancing opportunities.  I look forward to using it to find exciting work, maybe even put my Spanish and French skills to use with some international projects!

8) How do you set yourself apart from your competitors?  What makes you special?
There seems to be a stereotype about web developers living in their own little worlds, talking only “geek-speak” and unable to connect with “normal” people.  So, when I meet with clients, I do my best to listen, understand where they’re coming from, and guide them through the process as simply as possible – they don’t need the technical jargon.  I provide personal service, maintain open communication, and strive to exceed my clients’ expectations.

9) What are the top three books, blogs, or magazines you read to stay up-to-date in the IT market?
I’m always referencing the CSS-Tricks blog by Chris Coyier.  I have joined a web professionals group on LinkedIn, so I get e-mail updates on articles and discussions relevant to the field.  Lynda.com is a great resource for learning practical, in-demand skills.  Bonus: I also follow Mike Locke on YouTube, highly recommended for web designers looking for advice on starting their careers.

10) Freestyle! Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Get a contract in place for all your projects, even if it’s for someone you already know!  There are “web design contract templates” online to get you started.  

• The client’s and freelancer’s names and contact info
• The services you will and will NOT provide
• How many revisions are allowed (include an hourly rate for work that exceeds this)
• Payment details (get a deposit!)
• Any deadlines
• Copyright/ownership info
• Expiration date/termination clause
• And of course, signatures from both parties  

 

This is to protect both you and the client, and to set expectations clearly from the start.  

I remember my very first paid project was for an acquaintance, and I didn’t make a contract – we just had a verbal agreement.  Well, this client starting asking me for help editing documents we had never even discussed before; I refused to do it without extra pay, and she got upset.  She asked for a lot of revisions on the design, which I hadn’t set a limit on.  When I did finish the website, she claimed that her organization was going to change their “Mission statement,” therefore the website wasn’t “done” and I wouldn’t get paid until a month later when they had their board meeting.  I finally had to go over her head and explain the situation to her boss to get paid.  When she asked me to do website maintenance, I said “sure” and sent her a contract with a high hourly rate.  I never heard from her again – and gladly so!
 

Check the freelancer profile of Linda Albertini, as well as view some of her work at LindaAlbertini.com.  Thanks, and feel free to say hi on Twitter @ltalbertini 🙂 

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